Letters To The Editor

Pavlos' threat to put public schools "on notice" if they do what a law specifically allows is laughable. He need not worry about calling the ACLU just yet, however.

Congress has not yet passed legislation as Pavlos asserts. The 248-180 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of a bill "allowing states" to publicly display the Ten Commandments has a long road before becoming law.

Secondly, his threat if ultimately carried out, would be a welcome case for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Its 1980 ruling that states cannot "compel" schools to display the Ten Commandments thrilled the Pavlos' of the world because they could not differentiate between the words "compel" and "allow."

This is evident by the writer's boast that he will "compel" other creeds to be posted if a school is "allowed" to post any.

Good luck. A Supreme Court challenge to this bill, if it becomes law, would be thrown out, I am convinced, because the justices do understand that difference.

I don't understand Pavlos' specific opposition to "The Ten Commandments of the Christian religion." The bill that passed the House did not mention which version of the Ten Commandments should be allowed. I presume the bill would indeed apply to the almost exact Hebrew version in the Torah and the very similar Islamic version in the Koran.

Although I'm sure that believers of each of these faiths disagree on the merit of this legislative initiative, I know of little disagreement over the values expressed in either version.

Finally, Pavlos' phony concern that all "dogmas" will not be given equal wall space in schools.

Allowing "states" to display and even adopt as their own wise words valued by three of the world's most populous faiths does not establish a federal religion and does not prohibit free individual exercise of any religion.

Alexander E. Rostkowski

Yorktown

Store clerks stung

Reference Daily Press, June 25.

Once again the community can rest a little easier knowing that the Alcohol Beverage Control sting officers are on the job busting our bad convenience store clerks for selling beer to underage customers.

This is unfair abuse of our citizens.

Have you ever worked in one of these convenience stores? A clerk is operating the cash register, selling lottery tickets, which often have lines of customers waiting to waste their money on a combination of tickets that takes several days just to learn the lingo. The clerk waits on more customers buying beer.

They must also keep a watchful eye on the gas island so those purchasers will not drive off without paying.

Keeping focused on all of these items is mind boggling.

Most times they do not even see the customer, as they are trying to ring up a never-ending array of items on the counter, fetch cigarettes, sandwiches and other items.

The job is one of the worst types of employment available. The fact that it is available keeps a steady line of temporary employees waiting to try their luck for a few days or weeks.

Few stay at such a demanding job any longer than they can help.

Some are stuck at these jobs because they do not qualify for better employment.

Then, our illustrious ABC board traps them during the madness and a $5.35 per hour criminal is charged a fortune in fines and most often loses his or her job to boot.

Jerry Eason

Topping

Bearing reference

Reference the Second Amendment and letter June 21 by Don Noble regarding the citizens' right to bear arms.

It is reassuring to know that Noble is a constitutional scholar concerning the Second Amendment. It is also reassuring to know he has our best interest in mind.

The book costs $19.95 plus $4.95 shipping. A current printing became available July 1.

Adams wrote the book in a style that the average high school student can read and understand. Noble and the other local constitutional scholars should have no difficulty with it.

I seriously recommend the book for anyone who feels that the Second Amendment has outlived its usefulness and does not convey the meaning as set forth by it.

I am not a member of the NRA or any gun control group, nor do I own a firearm. I am a former U.S. Marine with a military ancestral lineage that begins with the French Revolution, service to Queen Victoria, Civil War, Confederacy, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II and Korea.

An individual who is willing to sacrifice a right for safety deserves neither.

Charles H. Sillery Sr.

Williamsburg

Stop teen drinking

Reference June 25 article on ABC licensed stores selling to minors.

The York County DARE program works extremely hard trying to protect and educate the children. We have many activities throughout the year and use numerous resources in the fight to keep the parents and children involved and educated.

Reading about three local York County stores that have been selling alcohol to minors is quite disturbing. The consequences of this act are so widespread.

We all hope that the stores' management are taking a strong stance to prevent such an occurrence from happening again. Proper training and supervision are encouraged.

We urge all to bear the responsibility of parenthood by expressing to these stores management your concern regarding this matter.

Our most precious resource - the children - is at stake.

With your help and support, we can eliminate access to alcohol by juveniles.